PRESCRIPTION TAKE BACK DAY NETS NEARLY 5 TONS

REGION 
Local authorities collected 9,849 pounds of drugs during last Saturday’s National Prescription Take Back Day, federal officials announced Thursday.

The drugs were turned in during a period of four hours at 39 locations in San Diego County and three locations in Imperial County.

The total is more than 2,000 pounds over what was collected locally during the event last year, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Nationally, citizens turned in more than 244 tons last year, the agency said.

While the event is held annually, residents can drop off unwanted and expired prescription drugs at any time at the more than 30 permanent drop boxes located around the county.

The boxes can be found at sheriff’s stations, San Diego police substations, the Oceanside Police Department and the Chula Vista Police Department.

Not only can medicine cabinets full of unused or expired pills be abused by youths, but improper disposal of medications can be harmful to the environment.